To Believe or To Not Believe. Professor Ramos Blog

To Believe or To Not Believe. Growing up my family never took my brother and I to Church. I remember my mom saying she grew up religious, but we never really talked about it. Nor did we ever really talk about religion in our household. I find it strange now looking back at it, but maybe my parents just wanted my brother and I to have a choice on the matter. Either way it’s safe to say my family wasn’t very religious. Sure, I had friends, girlfriends, and relatives that all went to Church on Sunday’s. Hell, even I went a couple times, but I just felt uncomfortable and couldn’t fully grasp the concept that was being preached to me. I would sit there as the pastor would talk about the word of God and the Gospel. The teachings of Jesus and the 10 commandments. I was a lot younger then, so in the Church’s defense I didn’t really pay much attention. It seemed like a wonderful idea though. The thought there is Heaven where all our loved ones gather in this paradise to meet after death. The idea of Hell keeping everyone from committing wrong-doings otherwise you burn for eternity. It was strange to me, so it didn’t take very long till I just stopped thinking about the matter all together and just moved on with my life. It just wasn’t reaching me on a deeper level like it does with most. Once I stopped thinking about it long enough, there came a time where I began to question it all. Is there really a God? Or are we just a spec in this mass universe we call space. Do our choices really matter? Or is it possible that everything is irrelevant. Does good come from the belief and worship of God? Or is it how we are raised and brought up in the world. What is it in our brains that makes us have this belief for something bigger than all of us? It eventually got to the point where I gave up. I chose to believe were all just consciously making choices for ourselves. Whether it be for good or bad, right or wrong. Just collectively learning lessons from the choices we make and analyzing the outcome of those choices to prepare for future decision making. I decided that not everything was happening for a higher purpose. That there wasn’t any type â€Å"God† influencing my life the way so many people believe God does so. I thought that if I’m responsible for my choices and actions than God must not be around. There were no signs for me that pointed to the belief there was something or someone out there looking out for me, let alone every living being. It was only two weeks after my conscious decision to become what most people call â€Å"atheist†, that my uncle Steve passed away. He was battling alcoholism for as long as I could remember. We never did talk much, and I didn’t know much about him. But I could tell he loved all his family members. He would never do anything to purposely hurt or upset them. Maybe he was just raging his own war against God and the only way to escape from his reality was to keep finding the bottom of that bottle. It was in his last few months I could barely recognize him anymore. He developed two forms of cancer and looked like the fight wouldn’t carry on much longer. He was the palest I’ve ever seen a person and there was no energy flowing through his body anymore. He was admitted to the hospital and induced into a coma shortly after the last time I saw him. I don’t even remember the last few words he or I said to each other. Just glimpses of him and I at our Thanksgi ving or Christmas parties. Almost like a photo gallery in my head. My father and my uncle Mike stayed with him every day that he was in the hospital. I probably should have visited and to this day I have no idea why I didn’t. But one of the strangest things that happened to me was the morning my uncle Steve passed away. It was the night before and I had had a dream about him. I found myself in this beautiful bright green forest with the sun rising farther than where the trees ended. I felt peace but was also conscious enough to wonder why I was there. I never had that feeling before, being awake inside a dream. It was only what felt like a minute before my Uncle Steve appeared. He had a bright glow to him, and he was heathier than I had ever seen him in his whole life. My Uncle didn’t say anything, but I felt his embrace, almost as if he was telling me he is okay. It felt like he was at peace with everything in this world and whatever world he was in also brought peace to him. He seemed comfortable, no longer in pain or fatigue. The last thing I remember was his smile before he faded away and I woke up. There was something about his smile I could never really describe. The dream didn’t last very long but the part that is strange to me is I remember waking up around 7:30am to text my Dad about the dream I had had. Only to have already received a text from him saying that my Uncle was pronounced dead at 7:07am on July 17th. My Dad and I both were caught of guard by my dream. But it really seemed to make my Dad feel a lot better about the loss of his brother Steve. As if my dad was thinking the same thing I was. Maybe there is something more after this. Some people believe in coincidences and I guess at the time I did too. This strange phenomenon seemed to put a damper on my theories and beliefs that there was nothing else after this. It just seemed too surreal to me to just be a random dream that a person has. I remember it so vividly like I just watched it on a video. This dream began to alter my state of mind. I started to open myself towards the belief that there can be a God or a spiritual life after this. That everything that has or will happen to us is meant for something bigger than just ourselves. To this day I have still only read about four passages out of the Bible or any other religious text. I’m not saying that I have become a man of God, but I do believe that there is more to life than just living and dying. I felt my Uncle was in a better place and maybe he wanted to show me a glimpse into this peaceful paradise he found himself. I still question as to why he visited me and not my Father or his Brother. All I know is that whether this dream be a coincidence or some sort of spiritual lesson, it taught me that I need to have faith in something more than myself. I’m still on the path of learning to believe in God but if it weren’t for that dream, I’d still be on the search for meaning in this world. I believe this dream has helped me find it.

Write a paper about Michael Pollan's Food Rules Essay

Write a paper about Michael Pollan's Food Rules - Essay Example This has generated a common concern among people i.e. to search for ways to ensure healthy eating and maintaining a smart figure. The book â€Å"Food Rules† by â€Å"Martic Pollan† is very different from the conventional nutritional guides in that it teaches to control human activities more than calorie count, that is the focus of discussion in most of the nutritional guides. The book fundamentally discusses human psychology with respect to food. According to Pollan, although it is good to distinguish between right food and wrong food, yet the ultimate factor that decides the impact of food on an individual is the right or wrong habits. The book is based upon 64 simple and easy to follow rules that one should employ in everyday life from the start of the day till its end. For example, Pollan emphasizes in-take of a heavy meal in the breakfast, moderate in the lunch and lightest in the dinner. Likewise, he suggests never to eat up to the full capacity. Pollan believes that grandmas can be consulted to learn if a certain food should be consumed or not. Pollan suggests more in-take of fresh fruits a nd vegetables than meat. One should eat on the table and not while wandering, driving or watching tv. Rule No. 58 of Michael Pollan suggests us to â€Å"attend† food. (Pollen) says, â€Å"If we eat while were working, or while watching TV or driving, we eat mindlessly -- and as a result eat a lot more than we would if we were eating at a table.† One should not eat processed food. Junk food can be consumed but only the one that is home made. One can eat all the junk food and as much as one wants and still be slim and smart provided that one knows where to eat that. No wonder it sounds little absurd! To read this, one would wonder what one’s place of eating has got to do with the effect of food on body, though the relation is very strong and human psychology explains that. When eating is accompanied with another activity, one pay’s less attention to the volume of

Research foundations in criminal justice Term Paper

Research foundations in criminal justice - Term Paper Example Research foundations in criminal justice This paper explains my developed knowledge. Stages in conducting a research are one of the developed knowledge from the course. The research process involves presentation of a research proposal for approval and implementation of the proposal to generate data that is then analyzed and results and recommendations communicated. Doing a research involves identification of a problem to be investigated that may result from social concerns or personal interests in a field and culminates to research questions, based on background information. Review of literature on the topic of interest follows, leading to accurate identification of existing knowledge gap and potential approach to bridging the gap (Sampson, 2012). A problem statement, statement of purpose, and research hypotheses are then established before development of research methodology. When the research committee approves a proposal, the methodology is implemented and data analyzed, documented, and communication done to target audie nce (Scuth, 2010; King and Wincup, 2008). Literature review informs a researcher of previous developments such as investigated and developed theories together with involved methodologies, and findings. Identified consistency in applied research method, research design and data collection instruments, for example, communicates tradition in a research topic and unless a researcher can develop alternative strategies that better suits the research, such traditional practices informs a proposed research methodology.... dology such as data collection instruments and measures for ensuring ethical studies as other researchers have applied in conducting their researchers (Acton, 2013). Research by other people also helps in development of new theories or modification of existing theories because reviewing and comparing existing knowledge allows for identification of flows in existing theories that new research initiatives can remedy (Corrigan, 2013). Review of other researchers’ findings can inform the need for codification of scattered knowledge into a theory while a review of existing theories may induce problem statements into new research that adds to the existing theories or develops new and overruling theories (Dantzker and Hunter, 2011). The role of existing research as bases for informing future study is another derived knowledge from the course concepts. In addition to directions that a researcher develops from analysis of results from previous studies, a research may recommend further research to remedy its reliability and validity concerns or effects of its confounding factors in research (Bayens and Roberson, 2010). A researcher should therefore be critical to note potential challenges in a study and communicate the challenges together with possible remedies in future research by the researcher or other researchers (Maxfield and Babbie, 2011). Deployment of theory through identification and implementation of a theoretical framework is another area of knowledge that the course concepts have covered. In addition to the role of previous research in facilitating development of research problems and guiding methodologies, theoretical frameworks offer bases for identifying variables in a study and forecasting relationships among the variables. This further informs research

Assignment 5 questions Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

5 questions - Assignment Example The method of collaborative inventory management or transshipment can be used to regulate the inventory level so as to face the unanticipated demands from the customers. A reduced inventory level results in non- satisfaction of the needs of the customers and it also may entail an increase in the holding cost. Transshipment helps to reduce the inventory cost and to improve excess levels of inventory. Scheduling is typically the last step in the makeover process prior to the actual output is produced.   Commonly, scheduling objectives handle tradeoffs between conflicting goals for proficient utilization of effort and equipment, inventory levels, lead time and the processing times. Efficiency is gained by a timetable that upholds high use of labor, space and equipment. The schedule also retains low inventories, which may unfortunately result in low efficiency because of shortage of material available or high setup times. Thus, a decision of tradeoff in scheduling among effectiveness and stock levels is necessary in short run. Efficiency can be increased in the long run by improving customer service, and concurrently cutting down stock by changing the production process during the time, while reducing cycle time and quality enhancement efforts. Scheduling, thus, is chiefly an activity in short-run that involves tradeoffs between differing objectives. Mohanty, R. P. & Deshmukh, S. G. (2005). Supply Chain Management Theories & Practices. Dream Tech Press. Retrieved from

The Homeless in America :: essays papers

The Homeless in America " I never imagined that I would be homeless." Although I have read this statement made over and over again, the facts behind it remain astonishing. The facts are that there are millions of homeless in America today. Many of these people had no choice but to become homeless. Economic problems such as being laid off work, or the rise in the cost of housing had lead people to live on the streets. Many of the homeless are women that have become divorced or have left home because of physical abuse. These women have no education because they have not been given the chance to go and get the education that it takes nowadays to get the job, so they are forced to live on the streets. They have no family to help them and they are left with no other choice. People with mental illnesses also become homeless quite often. These people are incapable of handling the stress of living on their own. These people get kicked out of their homes and are to ashamed to go to their families because of their illness, so we see them on the streets struggling to stay warm. Teenage mothers are also forced to live on the streets because their families will not help them. The fathers are not there and that forces them to live on the streets. So they must resort to prostitution to pay for the food that their young ones need to stay alive. There are many other people that become homeless for many different reasons. Some of these people can not help becoming homeless. Some of these people are the illegal immigrants that come here from other places to get a better life but end up not having enough money to make it in this hard world that we live in. Teenage runaways have different reasons for leaving home but all have the same reason for becoming homeless. They simply just do not have enough money. Others are drug and alcohol abusers and disabled people. With this list of people there must be some way that we can help these people. There has been many programs that have been available to help these homeless, but only have only succeeded in the short run and have failed in the long run.

Reaction Paper About the Guest Speaker

Reaction Paper about the Guest Speaker Last Wednesday, September 5, 2012, was our National Science Month Celebration with the theme: â€Å"Science in the K-12 curriculum, sustaining a better future. † Our guest speaker was born on July 15, 1965 in Cotabato City. She finished her study on Western Mindanao State University in 1978 as third honourable mention. She passed the examination for the qualifications on studying in Philippines Science High School and studied in Philippines Science High School-Diliman as a DOST scholar. She studied BS Agricultural Engineering in UP Los Banos on 1988 and passed the board exam as ninth placer.I was so amazed when I heard that the person in front of us talking got ninth place on an Engineering Board Exam. She is now a Provincial Science Officer in Cotabato Province. Her husband is Condo N. Pham Jr. and has 4 children. She is non-other than Engr. Normina B. Pham. Her topic is about innovation. She also shared about their reunion. Engineer sai d that in more than 240 elementary students passed the examination in Philippines Science High School, only 175 students graduated. Her classmates are now Vice President of Ateneo, bosses of young stars today, scientists that are finding cure to vaccines, AIDS, HIV and etc.She also talked about the birth of call center ten years ago. The call center’s birth is also the birth of cybersex which has clients all over the world. She also said that innovation must be replicated. You must deliberate the information you’ve got, have imagination and initiative. Students are more productive on imagination than teachers. She said that we should bring in changes in our community. Do better in what you are doing now. And I quote, â€Å"The Future depends on you. † -Reyel Joy E. Gauran III-Emerald

What Can Happen Without Vaccination - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 4 Words: 1339 Downloads: 8 Date added: 2019/08/08 Category Medicine Essay Level High school Tags: Vaccines Essay Did you like this example? Â  According to an article written by Eleanor Goldberg for the Huffington Post, Vaccines avert between 2 and 3 million deaths each year. Compared to anti-vaccinators, they believe that vaccines are not the cause of averting deaths in children. They believe that the children getting the vaccines are causing them more harm than good. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "What Can Happen Without Vaccination" essay for you Create order We are all affected by vaccines. We need certain vaccines to get into college and even public schools. For instance, in order to get into Maryville College students are required to have Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Chickenpox, Meningitis, and Hepatitis B vaccinations. With these vaccines being required, many people have a need to know what is inside the vaccines. Even though some of the vaccines are already inside our body. Vaccination clearly shows that they prevent many diseases that are still prevalent today. The vaccinations contain ingredients that are very safe for you. Also, the types of diseases that are being fought off have not disappeared nor have they completely gone away so, getting rid of vaccinations could be very disastrous. Henceforth, the historical background of the two groups of pro-vaccination and anti-vaccinations needs to be explained. The controversy over vaccination became very popular when in the mid-1970s a group of children suffered neurological conditions following a set of vaccinations that were given to them.(The Historical Medical Library of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia) These children drew a huge public attention to the controversy of whether or not the vaccines caused the neurological conditions. This report of the children caught the eye of an advocacy group called The Association of Parents of Vaccine Damaged Children (APVDC). The Association of Parents of Vaccine Damaged Children worked with news networks to dynamically show what the effects of their children were to these certain types of vaccine. When APVDC worked with the news networks, a group called Joint Commission on Vaccination and Immunization (JCVI) tried tremendously to prove to people that vaccines were very safe and that there would be no harm done to their children. In response to the outpour of parents throughout the nation, JCVI responded by starting a study called National Childhood Encephalopathy Study (NCES). This study determined whether a child that was vaccinated was truly hospitalized for the vaccination or if it was another underlying cause. The results showed that the vaccinations had little to no effect on the children that were hospitalized. When all of this research popped up on the news many parents essentially did not want to get their children vaccinated. However, when JCVI provided their information many parents started to get very confused about what was coming out in the news. With the parents confusion and some other parents anger, the parents essentially divided into two known different groups. The two groups are considered in a technical term to be pro-vaccination and anti-vaccination. The pro-vaccination group was in principal founded in 1938. The anti-vaccination group was technically not founded until 1940. The anti-vaccination group was not founded until two years later because of the lack of the information that was being brought up and that no one wanted to really question what was actually going on with vaccines. Also, no one had the general knowledge of what was actually in the vaccine and what they actually did to your body. The pro-vaccination group debate many aspects of vaccination for adolescents. The pro-vaccination group will give any information on the types of ingredients in the vaccines, the types of state laws that are for vaccines, and how different vaccines will affect an adolescents body. The pro-vaccination group generally give background and supporting evidence on the things that are being stated in the anti-vaccination group. Many of these topics are debated toward the public not strictly for people who worked within any type of the medical field. The anti-vaccination group will usually give information on the harmful ingredients in vaccines, the serious side effects from the vaccination, and how the vaccines are unnatural and the natural immunity in our body will protect us. The topics that the anti-vaccination group go over are usually presented to the public in a way of any type of media. The anti-vaccination group will usually be brought to attention in the news media. When the anti-v accination group is brought on the news with some type of vaccine that is harmful, the public will usually go in a scare. When the public is going into a scare they start to rely on science. Many people rely on the fact that we need to understand what is going in order to feel safe. For instance, the CDC issued a report stating that children who received a vaccine against measles, mumps, and rubella had no connection to autism as stated by a group of anti-vaccinators(Reuters) According to Jesse Goodman, Its also the nature of science to seek and implement improvements which make for safer and more effective medical products. (Meadows) So the public usually will rely on what is being stated by actual facts or statistics because it is human nature. Up to the present time, people usually want to know whether or not vaccines that are given to their children are safe. They usually want to know what types of ingredients are in the vaccinations, and if those ingredients are safe for our bodies. The ingredients are certainly safe in the amount they put in the vaccinations. Correspondingly, Vaccinations are made by the weakening of the disease itself. Any vaccine that is made is actually a disease that is extremely weakened. The vaccine then helps you to fight the actual infection when you come in contact with it. Next, one of the main concerns for vaccinations are the types of ingredients inside the vaccines. Two main ingredients found in commonly known vaccinations are thimerosal and aluminum. Thimerosal is an organic mercury compound found in some flu vaccines. Aluminum is found in Hepatitis B vaccines. Vaccines contain numerous active agents, such as live viruses, bacterial agents, preservatives, and toxic chemicals, including for maldehyde and mercury, as well as human, animal, and plant [genetic material],(Koch) So most vaccines have some form of aluminum and mercury, but many people have the concern they could seriously harm your body. In reality, these ingredients could not cause much harm because they are given in smaller doses. This following statement shows that being exposed to aluminum can be efficient if you are exposed to it in small proportions. Most experts believe the amount of aluminum contained in vaccines is safe, but studies in human infants havent proven that, says Dr. Sears. Spacing them out seems like the best way to limit overexposure.(Heyworth) When you are exposed to smaller doses when you are younger, they cannot cause you to much harm in the long run as anti-vaccinators are lead to believe. The next topic that anti-vaccinators wildly debate is that natural immunity is better than vaccinations. Vaccinations are something that helps you fight certain diseases, not natural immunity. Natural immunity plays a part in the vaccinations flowing in our body through immunization. Furthermore, many people have no clue what the difference between immunization and vaccination are. According to this statement, immunizations are very similar to vaccines. You may acquire it naturally, by getting the disease at some stage.(Mukherjee) However, vaccinations are done in a safer and artificially way. Natural immunity will, in turn, no way protects you a second time from an infection. Others are very confused by what natural immunity is and how it could possibly help you. Natural immunity is where you are exposed to a certain disease and you get over the infection naturally. Your body then, in a sense, becomes immune to the disease and will possibly try to fight the infection within the body faster. In a sense, Natural immunity works with vaccines to boost your effectiveness from whatever disease or infection you face. Without vaccine protection, we can easily contract and transmit infectious diseases.(Meadows) When you dont vaccinate you can easily catch anything that is being exposed to you.